Meatloaf is my husband Bob’s favourite all time comfort food (lasagna comes in at a close second). I came up with this recipe when our kids were young to try and get them hooked, it worked!
I wanted to make a smooth texture that was full of flavour. I find that the fresh bread crumbs soaked in milk and egg mixture helps create a moist meatloaf.
I normally let the milk and egg get soaked into the fresh breadcrumbs then add the other ingredients.
I also use this recipe to make meatballs and now have advanced to making a stuffed meatloaf roll.
Here is the recipe to get you going. Please don’t be afraid to add your personal touch. More or less of anything will not harm this recipe.
Ingredients
2 lbs extra lean ground beef
1 1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs (about 3 slices of any kind of bread, processed into crumbs in a food processor or blender)
1/2 cup of milk
2 eggs
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tbsp mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 F.
Combine eggs with milk and breadcrumbs. Add ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Add the liquid mixture to the ground beef.
Knead well combining all ingredients until a smooth consistency.
Press mixture into a loaf pan. Bake in 375 F oven for 45 minutes.
Mix 2 tbsp ketchup or pizza sauce with a squeeze of mustard. Spread over the top of the meatloaf. Make for 15-20 minutes longer.
Variation:
Stuffed Meatloaf Roll
Lay large Saran wrap pieces on a clean counter top (larger than 10″ x 12″).
Spread the ground beef mixture into an even layer approximately 10″ x 12″
Spread cheese of your choice, I used a basil flavoured Bousin cheese, followed by finely chopped mixture of grilled onions and peppers topping it off with a layer of fresh spinach.
Now the fun part begins! Use the saran wrap to lift the mixture from the shorter end and start rolling like a pinwheel keeping mixture together and squeezing tightly as you are rolling.
Once completed use the Saran wrap to lift the meatloaf roll and gently place it seam side down in a greased pan (with or without greased foil lining).
Place in the oven for 45 minutes. Add a topping of the sauce from above and mustard and cook for another 15 to 20 minutes.
Let sit to cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then cut and serve with your favourite side dish or salad.
